Folic acid may reduce risk of prostate Ca recurrence

Folic acid may reduce the risk of recurrence of prostate cancer, according to a study from Duke University, Durham, NC.

The study’s results are not definitive but are suggestive enough to warrant further exploration, one of the study’s authors told Urology Times.

"We don’t know exactly where the real hazard ratio is, owing to the small sample size, but it is certainly something that looks promising," said first author Daniel Moreira, MD, currently of North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, New Hyde Park, NY.

The study presented here on Sunday was a retrospective analysis of 137 men from the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) database. Univariable analysis showed no association between biochemical recurrence, but multivariable analysis showed a slight but significant reduction in risk.

"There is a wide confidence interval in the hazard ratio, but these findings are certainly promising. The study is also retrospective, so it is too early to recommend any changes in management," said Dr. Moreira, who worked Stephen Freedland, MD, and co-authors at Duke.

He adds that support is being sought for a larger, prospective study that would produce more definitive data. Folic acid is involved in nucleotide synthesis and can be found in grains, whole wheat products, meats, beans, eggs, leafy green vegetables, and a variety of fruits.

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